Senate insiders handicap the race to replace McConnell
By Conn Carroll
February 29, 2024 11:15 amSenate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced his intention to step down from Senate Republican leadership Wednesday, and less than 24 hours later, the race to replace him has already begun.
Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) issued a statement Thursday morning asking his Republican colleagues to give him the opportunity to succeed McConnell, and he is not the only John expected to enter the race.
Sens. John Thune (R-SD) and John Barrasso (R-WY) are also expected to join the running, and it is possible there may be some other dark horse candidates as well.
As minority whip, Thune is nominally next in line, although Cornyn held that position for six years before him. Barrasso serves as the conference chairman, which is the leadership position directly below the whip.
I asked some current and former Republican senate aides to handicap the race to replace McConnell, and here is what some of them said.
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https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/beltway-confidential/2895764/senate-insiders-handicap-race-replace-mcconnell/